ARTIST DETAILS

1763-1841

Tani Buncho was a late-Edo Japanese literati (Bun-jin) painter from Edo (modernTokyo). He was born Tani Masayasu and was also called Bungoro. He began to paint at a young age and studied Chinese Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasty paintings as well as Kano school, Tosa school, literati and Western paintings. Now known for his original aesthetic, his legacy remains in his extremely eclectic Nanga (Southern painting, literati) style. Amongst his followers are the great masters, Watanabe Kazan, Tachihara Kyosho and Takaku Aigai. Alongside his legendary aesthetic, which defies any easy definition, his works are considered one of the best of Edo Bun-jin paintings.